SEMA 2009: Toyota Tundra Hot Rod kinda cool misses the bullseye

Yeah... Toyota is painting this one as a what-would-happen if Tundras existed back during the hot rodding heyday of the 1950s. We'll let you draw your own conclusions about that. However, we would like to take this opportunity to point out that the grill would have been chrome, not matte. And odds are they would have lowered the truck a bit more, right?

Also, whatever aerodynamic advantage gained with the moon disk hubs is negated (and then some) by the giant wing mirrors. All that smack talked, an actual Japanese take on American hot rods would be welcome -- maybe next year. Full press release -- and perhaps a better explanation -- after the jump.

The growing popularity of retro/old school hot rods in the aftermarket world has inspired Toyota to take a Texas-built Tundra Regular Cab full-size pickup and prove that a present day economical work truck could realistically be made into an American hot rod. Toyota also wanted to show consumers that Tundra is a truck that not only works hard, but plays hard too. The result is the Tundra Hot Rod, which takes a fun look at what a Toyota Tundra pickup truck might have looked like if it had been part of the iconic 1950s and '60s hot rod era.

Sucker Punch Sally's also went old school inside with the installation of a full custom tuck 'n' roll interior. Additional interior modifications include a custom headliner, dash pad, and carpet along with hand-turned brass dashboard controls. The interior is topped off with a custom curly maple wood cargo deck.

Fender Guitars also made significant contributions to the project. Inside, the Tundra Hot Rod features Fender Guitar custom radio knobs and installed in the truck bed is a polished wood floor, using the Fender Custom Shop's finest flamed maple. Sucker Punch Sally's also added custom aluminum side panels and railing.

Toyota's partnerships with Sucker Punch Sally's and Fender Guitar will allow the Tundra Hot Rod to be seen beyond the 2009 SEMA Show by a wide range of audiences as the truck is scheduled to be displayed at a minimum of 55 various consumer events over the next year.

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Anonymous

Anonymous

5 Years Ago

Epic Fail. The only interesting thing is the vintage Toyota logo up front, and even that's just slapped on to the oval where the new one goes - the one that someone in a magazine once called, "The Pillsbury Doughboy signaling a touchdown".